The uses of molybdenum electrodes
The molybdenum rods, due to their high melting point of 2620 ℃, excellent electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity, as well as excellent corrosion resistance, are processed into molybdenum electrodes and become the "heart" of the electric melting kilns in the glass industry. In the molten glass at a temperature range of 1500 - 1600 ℃, molybdenum does not react with silicates and does not release bubbles. It can replace the easily oxidized graphite electrodes and is widely used in the all-electric melting systems for ultra-clear glass, substrates and optical fiber preforms. Its service life can reach 2 - 3 years, significantly improving the purity of the glass and the service life of the kiln.
In the semiconductor and photovoltaic industry chain, molybdenum rods are processed into molybdenum electrodes to play a crucial role in high-temperature and plasma environments: The CZ single crystal furnace uses ≥99.95% high-purity, large-diameter molybdenum electrodes to maintain the stability of the silicon melt at temperatures above 1600 ℃, supporting the growth of 12-inch silicon wafers; the ion implantation machine uses molybdenum electrodes to generate a stable arc, achieving precise doping; CIGS thin-film batteries form a highly efficient conductive interface with the sputtered molybdenum back electrode, achieving a conversion efficiency of >23%.
High-temperature metallurgy and advanced ceramic manufacturing both rely on the extreme environmental adaptability of molybdenum electrodes: The vacuum arc furnace (VAR) uses molybdenum electrodes to melt high-melting-point metals such as titanium alloys and nickel-based superalloys, preventing electrode evaporation and contamination; the discharge plasma sintering (SPS) equipment uses molybdenum electrodes to rapidly heat up above 2000 ℃, achieving densification of ceramics and composite materials.
In the fields of chemical engineering and hydrogen energy, the processing of molybdenum rods into molybdenum electrodes is pushing these electrodes to new application boundaries: in molten salt electrolysis for sodium and lithium production, as well as experimental chlor-alkali processes, the molybdenum electrodes, due to their resistance to saltwater corrosion, have become potential alternatives to anodes; PEM electrolyzers utilize molybdenum-platinum composite electrodes to enhance the efficiency of hydrogen evolution reactions, contributing to the production of efficient green hydrogen, but still need to overcome the problem of molybdenum passivation in alkaline environments.
For research and cutting-edge technologies, the molybdenum electrode withstands a thermal load of 10 MW m⁻² in the filter, and serves as a highly stable electron source in the electron microscope, demonstrating its reliability under extreme conditions. In the future, through ZrO₂ surface coating, Mo-La alloying, and interface optimization of solid-state batteries, the lifespan, cost, and multi-functionality of the molybdenum electrode will be further enhanced, continuously pushing the technological boundaries of industries such as glass, photovoltaics, hydrogen energy, and nuclear fusion.
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